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The Pennsylvania Dutch in the 21St Century

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The Pennsylvania Dutch in the 21St Century Plain, Fancy and Fancy-Plain: The Pennsylvania Dutch in the 21st Century Rian Linda Larkin Faculty Advisor: Alex Harris Center for Documentary Studies December 2017 This project was submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program in the Graduate School of Duke University. Copyright by Rian Linda Larkin 2017 Abstract In 1681, William Penn traveled to Europe’s Rhineland-Palatinate and invited Anabaptist and Protestant groups to live and worship freely in Pennsylvania. Over the next century, 111,000 German- speaking men and women sailed to America, many settling in southeastern Pennsylvania.1 During this period, English-speaking residents began to use the term, “Pennsylvania Dutch” to describe the new settlers who spoke Deitsch or Deutsch (German). Today, the term Pennsylvania Dutch conjures visions of bonnets, beards, suspenders and horse- drawn buggies. However, this imagery only applies to the Old Order Anabaptist sects, which constitute less than half of Pennsylvania’s total PA Dutch population.2 3 Therefore, this project will examine and document four Pennsylvania Dutch communities in order to present a more accurate cultural portrait and contextualize the Pennsylvania Dutch populace in the 21st century, from anachronistic traditionalists to groups that have fully integrated into modern society. The project documents the following religious communities: the Old Order Amish, Horning Mennonites, Moravians and Lutherans of southeastern Pennsylvania. Each section includes a historical overview, an interview with a community member and photographs taken on-location. I conclude that church-imposed restrictions and geographical location shaped each group’s distinctive character and impacted how the groups evolved in the modern world. In addition, I identify contemporary issues which may further impact the language, traditions and culture of the Pennsylvania Dutch communities. Finally, I present additional Pennsylvania Dutch groups in southeastern Pennsylvania and argue why further examination is necessary. 1 Marianne Wokeck, Trade in Strangers: The Beginnings of Mass Migration to North America (State College: Penn State Press, 1999) 40-46. 2 The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. “Population by State/Prov. in 2016.” Etown.edu. http://groups.etown.edu/amishstudies/statistics/population-by-state/ (accessed August 5, 2017). 3 See “Pennsylvania German:” United States Census Bureau. “American Community Survey.” Census.gov. https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/15_5YR/B04006/0400000US42 (accessed August 5, 2017). iii Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................................................................... iii List of Photographs & Illustrations .............................................................................................................. v Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................... vii Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 2 The Pennsylvania Dutch: Historical Overview ............................................................................................. 5 Plain, Fancy and Fancy-Plain Chapter One: The Mennonites .................................................................................................................. 12 Historical Background Mennonite Church Zimmerman Farm Interview Chapter Two: The Amish ........................................................................................................................... 28 Historical Background Amish Church Riehl Farm Interview Chapter Three: The Moravians ................................................................................................................. 41 Historical Background Moravian Church Bethlehem, PA Interview Chapter Four: The Lutherans .................................................................................................................... 58 Historical Background Lutheran Church Trappe, PA Interview Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................. 73 The Misrepresentation of the Amish Religious Restriction and Geographical Location Further Research Appendix A: Zimmerman Interview (Horning Mennonite) August 21, 2017 ............................................ 86 Appendix B: Riehl Interview (Old Order Amish), August 8, 2017 ............................................................. 90 Appendix C: Walsh Interview (Moravian) September 15, 2017 ................................................................ 93 Appendix D: Wentworth Interview (Lutheran) September 21, 2017....................................................... 105 Appendix E: Kauffman Interview (Ex-Amish) August 21, 2017 ............................................................... 112 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................ 118 iv List of Photographs & Illustrations Figure 1 - Hex Sign over Covered Bridge, Berks County ............................................................................. 1 Figure 2 - Screenshots from Super 8 and 8mm Film .................................................................................. 4 Figure 3 - William Penn’s Promotional Sign for German Audience, 1681 .................................................. 5 Figure 4 - Charlie (Horning Mennonite), Zimmerman Farm, August 2017 ............................................... 17 Figure 5 - Rachel (Former Amish), Zimmerman Farm, August 2017 ......................................................... 20 Figure 6 - Children Swimming, Zimmerman Farm, August 2017 .............................................................. 20 Figure 7 - Sharon (Horning Mennonite) Zimmerman Farm, August 2017 ................................................ 27 Figure 8 - Sandbox, Zimmerman Farm, August 2017 ................................................................................ 27 Figure 9 - Ben (Old Order Amish), Riehl Farm, August 2017 ..................................................................... 33 Figure 10 - Team Horses, Riehl Farm, August 2017 .................................................................................. 33 Figure 11 - Marian (Old Order Amish), Riehl Farm, August 2017 ............................................................. 40 Figure 12 - Plowing of Fields, Riehl Farm, August 2017 ............................................................................ 40 Figure 13 - Bethlehem Steel, Bethlehem PA, September 2017 ................................................................ 50 Figure 14 - Moravian Cemetery, Bethlehem PA, September 2017 ........................................................... 50 Figure 15 - Kristen (Moravian), Bethlehem PA, September 2017 ............................................................. 57 Figure 16 - Moravian Tour Guide, Bethlehem PA, September 2017 ......................................................... 57 Figure 17 - Lutheran Service, Trappe PA, September 2017 ...................................................................... 64 Figure 18 - Couple walking to Lutheran Service, Trappe PA, September 2017 ......................................... 64 Figure 19 - Library of Congress, Anti-German Sign, 1917 ......................................................................... 67 Figure 20 - Jennifer (Lutheran), Trappe PA, September 2017 ................................................................... 72 Figure 21 - Old Chapel Graveyard, Trappe PA, September 2017 ……………………………………………………..…… 72 Figure 22 - Wooden Diving Board, Zimmerman Farm, August 2017 ........................................................ 81 v Figure 23 - Zimmerman Farm, August 2017 .............................................................................................. 81 Figure 24 - Hanging Laundry, Riehl Farm, August 2017 ............................................................................ 82 Figure 25 - Scooter, Riehl Farm, August 2017 ........................................................................................... 82 Figure 26 - North Bethlehem, September 2017 ........................................................................................ 83 Figure 27 - South Bethlehem, September 2017 ........................................................................................ 83 Figure 28 - Old Chapel, Augustus Lutheran Church, September 2017 ...................................................... 84 Figure 29 - Dutch Haven, Lancaster County, PA, Spring 2017 ................................................................... 84 Figure 30 - Hex Sign Painter, Eric Claypoole, Lenhartsville, PA, Spring 2017 ............................................ 85 Figure 31 - Hex Barn, Hamburg, PA, Spring 2017 ...................................................................................... 85 vi Acknowledgements I’d like to thank my teacher and thesis supervisor, Alex Harris. Throughout this project, you encouraged me to look deeper, get closer and most importantly, ask meaningful questions. Thank you Alex. I would have been lost without the guidance and support from the
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